Can you not e-file an amended 2020 return if changing filing status?

[jacklipton]

I am changing my filing status from HOH to single in my 2020 amended return. It all looks good except it says I cannot e-file an amended return on turbotax.  I believe the IRS is now accepting e-filings for 1040X for 2019 and 2020. 

Is turbotax not ready to handle an e-file of a 1040X for 2020 yet? Is it because it is a change in filing status and not something else?  When it checks for errors it says that "you can't e-file if there is a change in filing status", but I don't see that stated anywhere in the turbotax directions or the IRS directions as exemptions from efiling a 1040X for 2020.

I'd like to do this expeditiously so my original tax return does not conflict with my daughter filing independently this year. If I have to mail in my 1040X, it appears that it could take up to 16 weeks to register in the IRS system.

[xmasbaby0]

No matter how soon you amend your return, your daughter will have to print, sign and mail her own return.   It takes 4-6 months for the IRS to process an amended return.   Since your daughter's SSN has already been put into the system now, she will not be able to efile at all this year.   The only way she can file is by mail.   An amended return will never catch up in order for her to e-file.

[jacklipton]

So, the consequences would be:

1.  I would have to mail my amended return (pay up front for the tax difference....no biggie).
2.  Then she would have to mail hers because her SSN is already in the system as my dependent from my original efile?
3. She would not see her tax return for 4-6 months?
4. She would not receive her $1400 stimulus payment until after that, or might have to get that back on her 2021 return?

Is that correct?

[xmasbaby0]

No one said your daughters refund would take 4-6 months.   It does take mailed returns longer, but the IRS is not going to wait for your amended return to process her return.   Mailed returns take longer because a human has to open it and enter the data.   

Are you changing your return because your child really cannot be claimed?   If she CAN be claimed then the rule is that she must say on her own return that she can be claimed.  We are seeing lots of people who are playing with the rules so that kids can get $1400 checks---not that you are one of those people.   

If she cannot be claimed then she can mail her return and get the stimulus money----if she cannot be claimed for 2020 that means she uses the recovery rebate credit and gets the first two stimulus amounts too.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/dependents/help/when-do-i-have-to-answer-yes-to-being-claimed-as-a...

[jacklipton]

Thanks for your replies @xmasbaby0!

Re eligibility for filing status change:

She has honestly been my dependent and graduated from college this year in May. She moved to take a new position in October. I put her down as my dependent and myself as HOH as I had planned to for the last time. However, the calculations regarding whether I have precisely covered more than half of her living expenses, are right on the edge and too close to call objectively. She no longer lives at home and is now working out of the country in 2021.

She believes that she is better off filing as an independent single starting with the 2020 tax year and I've agreed to that as it more advantageous for her (all 3 stimulus payments, she would not be subject to the kiddie tax rate on her unemployment income).  

SO:

If I understand what you are saying:

1. I file amended (by mail apparently for a change in filing status as I can't e-file through TT for a status change)
2. She has to mail hers in because she is already claimed on my original return.
3. Hers will take many weeks to be processed (who knows  when this year)
4. Mine will eventually show in the IRS system amended in 4-6 months

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Yes----here is some information about mailed returns:

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 weeks  (or longer since the IRS is backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.  Expect 6-8 weeks for complete processing of a mailed return.

If  you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. 

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.  TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

[fanfare]

you can't efile when you amend to change the filling  status;

not to be confused with changing the number of dependents on your return.